Healthy Living
“In as much as you have done to the least of these, you have done it unto Me.” Matthew 25:40
In January 1922, a group of Baptist men purchased the Birmingham Infirmary which became the home of the first Baptist Health Hospital. Their goal, grounded in Jesus’ example of attending to the needs of “the least of these” was to develop a hospital in Birmingham that physically, spiritually and emotionally enriched the health, dignity and wholeness of every person served.
For more than 103 years Baptist Health has been dedicated to ministering not only to physical needs, but also the spiritual and emotional needs of those entrusted to our care. Because the founders were focused on the holistic care of patients, they sought competent and compassionate professionals from every discipline including those who would lead the Pastoral Care Department.
Chaplains always played a significant role on the interdisciplinary teams at each of our hospitals: providing comfort to patients, families and staff during times of crisis, celebrating during times of joy, offering guidance to physicians, nurses and employees when spiritual matters are encountered, and serving as Pastoral Care Professionals to our communities. Chaplains are available 24/7 at each Baptist Health hospital including Brookwood, Citizens, Princeton, Shelby and Walker Hospitals.
During the Covid-19 Pandemic the role of Chaplains was especially significant. Initially, to preserve personal protective equipment, Chaplains offered care virtually; however, many distressed patients insisted that they wanted and needed pastoral presence. Baptist Health honored the patients’ requests and protected the Pastoral Care Team. When families, friends and Pastors were not allowed to visit their loved ones, Chaplains visited them and offered a consistent and necessary line of communication.
Baptist Health has the oldest Accredited Clinical Pastoral Education Program(ACPE) in the State of Alabama and the second oldest in the country. It is among the most respected programs in the United States. Currently, the Chair of the Board of Directors for ACPE, leads Baptist Health’s Pastoral Care Team. More than 1000 ministers have trained at Baptist Health serving churches, hospitals, hospices, and the Armed Services across the United States and around the world.
In my role as Executive Director of Chaplaincy and Clinical Pastoral Education, I have witnessed the priority Baptist Health places upon the spiritual and emotional needs of our patients, families and staff. The full support and commitment to the Pastoral Care Department is one of the clearest expressions of dedication to the Baptist Health Mission: “To extend the healing ministry of Christ through holistic, people-centered health care.” The employees, physicians and volunteers who comprise Baptist Health continue the legacy of our founders offering physical, spiritual and emotional care within a fully integrated system of healthcare delivery. “It is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous in His sight!”
-Dr. Cecelia Walker
Executive Director of Chaplaincy and Clinical Pastoral Education
Baptist Health
